Force D during the Battle of Calabria

[Jordi Comas]

Hi all,

Prior to the battle of Calabria 9 July 1940 four British Destroyers were attached to Force D. Do you know them?

Thank you very much
Jordi

[t-geronimo]

http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4007-20JUL01.htm gives only three destroyers.

07.07.1940
[...]
Force D, which later departed Malta with the convoy, was destroyers DIAMOND, JERVIS, and VENDETTA.

[Jordi Comas]

Thank you Thorsten,

I think these destroyers were escorting convoy MF1 but not Force D

Regards

[Jordi Comas]

I think that one of the 4 destroyers of Force D was Havock

[Jordi Comas]

Hi Again,

I think they were the following:

Havock, Waterhen, Garland, Wryneck and then joined the 3 told by Thorsten: Jervis, Diamond and Vendetta

Regards

[Platon Alexiades]

Hi Jordi,

I am curious to learn your sources and how you came to this conclusion.

Best regards,

Platon

[Jordi Comas]

Hi Platon!

Just deduction.........my theory

Forces from Mediterranean Fleet at sea 7-9/7/40 (Battle of Calabria), not including big ships like CV, BB, CL

Destroyer forces
Force A: Stuart
Force B: Nubian, Mohawk, Hero, Hereward, Decoy
Force C: Hasty, Hyperion, Dainty, Defender, Hostile, Ilex, Juno, Janus, Imperial, Vampire, Voyager. (Imperial returned Alexandria due to engine defects)
Force D: Jervis, Diamond, Vendetta joined latter by other 4 DD

The only 4 DD in the Mediterranean Fleet at this time if i'm not wrong were: Havock, Waterhen, Wryneck, Garland...........but this is only my opinion.........no sources to clarify this, so this is why I asked for this before

Regards

[Platon Alexiades]

Hi Jordi,

I may be wrong but I think there is an error of interpretation. I do not think that Force D was a separate force but was probably intended to be made from destroyers selected from Forces A, B and C. Cunningham wrote that he intended to detach four or five destroyers on the afternoon of 9th July when close to Malta and these would form Force D which was to escort convoy M.F. One and would reinforce HMS Diamond and HMS Jervis which would sail from Malta with the convoy. I think that due to the Battle of Calabria, this plan changed somewhat and probably Cunningham felt he needed most of his destroyers with him. Finally convoy M.F. One sailed escorted by HMS Diamond, HMS Jervis and HMAS Vendetta and were later joined by the light cruiser HMS Gloucester (already damaged by air attack) and HMAS Stuart. On 12th July, HMS Orion and HMS Neptune were detached from the main Fleet to add cover to convoy M.F. One and joined it in the afternoon. I have not seen any indication that Havock, Waterhen, Wryneck and Garland escorted the convoy.

Best regards,

Platon

[Jordi Comas]

Hi Platon,

I've found the destroyers involved:

They were: Diamond, Jervis, Vendetta joined by Stuart, Havock, Imperial on 11th

Regards